Liverpool scored a 2-1 win at Derby County in a lacklustre Premiership game at Pride Park on Boxing Day.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard scored on either side of the half time interval while the spirited Rams got a goal from James McEveley.

The Reds performance overall left a lot to be desired for and manager Rafa Benitez will be relieved that his side earned full points, thanks to the last-gasp winner from skipper Gerrard.

The Rams, who are at rock-bottom in the table, had a great chance to cash in on a defensive error from the visitors early in the game but Kenny Miller was guilty of going for glory himself from a tight angle and only saw the ball sail over the bar.

Liverpool took the lead in the 12th minute through Fernando Torres. After being relayed a pass by Ryan Babel on the right side corner of the 18-yard box, the Spain striker hoodwinked three rival defenders to weave his way inside the penalty area before finding the back of Lewis Price’s net.

Babel wasted a simple chance to double the lead when his first-time volley from close range, sailed over the cross bar in the 25th minute off a cross from John Arne Riise from left channel.

Gerrard and Andriy Voronin tried to score from long range but their shots were not on target.

Rafa Benitez’s side looked shoddy in the second half while the Rams showed a lot of character and with the crowd getting behind them, Paul Jewell’s side grew in confidence.

In the 66th minute, Rams keeper Price had an easy save to make when Xabi Alonso could not sweetly-time his shot.

Derby, who brought out a number of mistakes from the Reds defence in the second half, equalised in the 67th minute when James McEveley found himself unmarked and with the ball breaking to him following a Eddie Lewis free-kick, put on a clinical finish to beat keeper Jose Reina from six yards.

With time ticking by, the Reds showed urgency and there were long-range shots from Fabio Aurelio and Alonso but not to desired result. At the other end, substitute Benny Feilhaber unleashed a powerful shot only to be deflected by Carragher and Reina did the rest.

Price came up with a stunning diving save to parry away a stinging drive from Alonso in the 83rd minute. Soon after, Torres slammed a shot wide of the target.

Derby missed a golden chance to take the lead with five minutes remaining when Giles Barnes’ stooping header, with only Reina in the goal to beat, from point-blank range went over the bar.

Gerrard hit the frame of the goal from the edge of the box and in the ensuing goal-mouth melee, substitute Dirk Kuyt was just denied of another swipe at the ball as the Rams cleared the ball.

However, the England midfielder was not be denied this time when he was right inside the six yard box to tap home after the goalkeeper had spilled the ball from a Torres shot in the 90th minute.

Teams

Derby: Lewis Price, Dean Leacock, James McEveley, Tyrone Mears, Darren Moore (Benny Feilhaber 46), Giles Barnes, Eddie Lewis, Stephen Pearson (Michael Johnson 26), Gary Teale (Robert Earnshaw 56), Steve Howard, Kenny Miller.

Substitutes not used: Ben Hinchliffe, Craig Fagan.

Liverpool: Jose Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypia (Yossi Benayoun 54), Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise, Ryan Babel (Dirk Kuyt 73), Fernando Torres, Andriy Voronin (Leiva Lucas 90).

Substitutes not used: Charles Itandje, Javier Mascherano.